Neville Basson is out to strengthen your immune system, boost your mood, and diminish some pain you have been feeling in the real world or in other words just for a couple of hours with his new stand-up show.
The Godfather of Namibian comedy is set to host his new special called ‘Wie is Dom’ on 1 September at the NamPower Convention Centre.
The veteran comedian said laughter is still the best medicine because it draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in people’s attitudes. “There’s nothing more satisfying than when people share their experiences with me after an event saying how tough life is for them. Some add: “This night I could forget about everything and just sit back and enjoy a good laugh Neville”. So yes and it’s also therapy for me. I share that same emotion, comedians like to reflect on their own life sometimes through comedy, I’m no different,” he said.
With a career spanning over 25 years in the entertainment industry, he jokingly said you should think before you buy a ticket, as it will be 18 years and older vibe. “Definitely above 18, and it’s definitely not for sensitive people who cringe on issues of race, sex, religion or politics. Kara ponganda asb, bly by die huis if you are sensitive.”
Basson attributes the show’s name ‘Wie is Dom’ to his upbringing in Katutura as a term they used to use. “We used to debate a lot about social issues ‘in die kasie’, to solidify your dominance on a topic as we debate, you tell someone ‘Wie’s dom’ to intimidate him into believing you won the argument. Today we have different views on politics, race, religion, sex etc. that brings a lot of ‘Wie’s dom’ moments. Hence the topic, because I wanna talk about a lot of sensitive issues that we harboured for the longest time.”
The entertainer-trained communication specialist told this reporter that his job is not as simple as it looks compared to other creatives in the industry. “Stand-up is very simple, just don’t talk about stuff you spoke about the last time. That’s the difficult part of this art form. Sometimes I wish I was Gazza or Big Ben. Musicians have it easy, esses man! People ask you to sing the same old songs again and again. Not comedy though!”
The last time Basson was in a hilarious skit was with his long-time friend Lazarus Jacobs when they toured around the country finding out about Namibia’s rich heritage. “I’m done spending my hard-earned money outside Namibia. Through my travels with Laz the last three years, it’s been a blast to see the beauty of Namibia. I will do these nonsense South African trips for only specific reasons, rugby, soccer games or the usual washed-up American artists we go watch lately at Grand West Hotel in Cape Town.... oh and of course ..taking your side chick for shopping. I can’t be seen here,” he confided.
He also pointed out that this special is exclusively in Afrikaans because of the title. “I use different vernacular in my routine to accommodate all tribes, that way we learn and accommodate each other’s cultures. The title merely reflects my own upbringing, being raised in a part of Katutura where Afrikaans was and still is the centre of communication amongst people, Grootwinkels! ”
The comedian is also offering a lucky winner a weekend for two at Gondanwa’s Desert Grace and Desert Whisper plus a weekend for two at Namushasha, the grand prize of a lucky draw for two that includes a flight to Cape Town. “I feel so blessed I tell you. I can’t ask for more, I feel like Tate Buti, if you don’t Gerrit, fogerrit lol,” he concluded.
- slunyangwe@nepc.com.na